Dr Jo Salter MBE BEng (Hons), MBA, DA (h.c.) is a pioneering leader whose career spans aviation, business and transformative leadership. Best known as Britain’s first female fast jet pilot, Jo’s journey from the cockpit of a Tornado GR1 to global boardrooms has inspired generations. Her story is one of resilience, inclusion and navigating change – and today, she brings that lived experience to audiences around the world as a sought-after speaker, leadership coach and advisor.
After joining the Royal Air Force at just 18 and studying at the Royal Military College of Science, Jo earned her wings in 1992 and became a Flight Lieutenant on the legendary 617 Squadron. She later served as a Qualified Tactics Instructor, flying the Hawk T1 and supporting the next generation of Air Cadets through Air Experience Flights. Her trailblazing aviation career didn’t just break gender barriers – it laid the groundwork for a life dedicated to leadership and service.
Since leaving the RAF, Jo has built a rich and varied business career. She has held multiple senior leadership roles at PwC, including Director of Global Transformative Leadership and Global Advisory Lead for GenAI. She played a key role in PwC Australia’s 2023 transformation response, and led digital and AI strategies that helped upskill 270,000+ employees worldwide. Her work has shaped the way organisations think about leadership, risk, innovation and the human side of transformation.
Jo has also run her own consultancy, Saltin Ltd, since 2002 – delivering high-performance coaching, strategic programme management and thought leadership on transformation, resilience and mindset. A former Associate Lecturer for the Open University Business School, Jo is as comfortable in a classroom as she is on stage – whether she’s leading a boardroom session or addressing 3,000 people at a conference.
She is the author of two books on personal energy and mindset, and regularly contributes to conversations around inclusive leadership, digital ethics and navigating emerging technologies such as AI. Jo was also voted the number one London speaker of 2025, as well as the number one keynote speaker to book for 2026, achieving a perfect 5/5 rating based on verified audience feedback from her 2025 events.
Beyond her professional work, Jo remains deeply involved in advocacy and charitable initiatives. She is a past Trustee and active supporter of the Royal Air Force Club, a member of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots, and a trustee for Ripples charity. Her media appearances have included TV, radio and live interviews with names like Tim Peake and Rachel Riley. In 2022, she was personally invited by Tom Cruise to attend the premiere of Top Gun: Maverick!
Recognised with an MBE from Prince William and an Honorary Doctorate from Bournemouth University, Jo continues to champion leadership that is authentic, inclusive and grounded in purpose. Whether she’s in a cockpit, a boardroom or on stage, her message remains the same: when we lead with courage and clarity, extraordinary things become possible.
